Senior Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Skin Immunology and Single-cell Genomics

Senior Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Skin Immunology and Single-cell Genomics

Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY

Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS)

Grade 8: Salary in the range of £49,199-£58,265 per annum. This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year.

This is a full time (100%), fixed term position until 30/06/2029.

A lower grade offer (Grade 7: £39,424 – £47,779 per annum) may be made to a less experienced candidate if a suitable candidate cannot be found to fill the Grade 8 position.

The University of Oxford is a stimulating work environment, which enjoys an international reputation as a world-class centre of excellence. Our research plays a key role in tackling many global challenges, from reducing our carbon emissions to developing vaccines during a pandemic.

The Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS) is part of the Medical Sciences Division and is the largest European academic department in its field, running a globally competitive programme of research and teaching.

The Kennedy Institute is a biomedical research centre uniquely bringing together discovery science and early-stage clinical research, to develop transformative new therapies for chronic inflammatory and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Dendrou group is an interdisciplinary team whose research aims to compare inflammatory diseases and immunological responses across tissues, over time and upon perturbation for translational benefit, leveraging tissue profiling through multiomic technologies in conjunction with cutting-edge computational and machine learning approaches.

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees' wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans
• Membership to a variety of social and sports clubs

  About the Role

  We are offering an exciting and unique opportunity for an experienced postdoctoral researcher to work on an interdisciplinary, multi-centre project aiming to identify antigens targeted by T cells mediating Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) and Graft-versus-Leukaemia (GvL) following stem cell transplantation (SCT) as a treatment for blood cancers. In this role you will carry out collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions, and research groups and write up experimental results, methodology and interpretation which will contribute to reports when required. You will develop, establish, and pursue appropriate analytical protocols and techniques to support research, including standardized protocols for patient sample flows. You will also develop research questions within a specific context, conduct individual research, analysing detailed and complex qualitative and/or quantitative data from a variety of sources, and generate original ideas by building on existing concepts. Use initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, adapt existing and develop new research methodologies and extend the research portfolio. You will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the laboratory e.g., by ensuring equipment is functioning and monitoring and ordering stock as necessary. Use specialist scientific equipment within the laboratory environment for protocols such as 10X controllers, spatial transcriptomics profilers, PCR machines and flow cytometers.

  About You

  You will hold a PhD/DPhil in immunology or related area with post-qualification research experience alongside a keen interest in cancer and/or transplantation immunology and/or dermatology. You will have a strong publication record and familiarity with the existing literature and research in the field together with evidence of having collaborated with both wet and dry lab researchers to complete a project. You will demonstrate experience handling and dissociating human tissues including skin as well as in standard laboratory-based immunology techniques, such as human tissue handling and culture, flow cytometry. You will have demonstrable experience in bioinformatics analysis of omics datasets, e.g. single-cell omics, including single-cell immune repertoire analysis as well as experience and knowledge of R and/or python programming. Proficiency in histopathology work such as tissue sectioning, conducting 10X single-cell RNAseq (wet lab) and conducting spatial transcriptomics (wet lab or data analysis) is desirable.

  Application Process

  You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application. Please quote 188256 in all correspondence.

  The closing date for applications is 12pm 15 September 2026.

  Interviews will take place during the week commencing 28 September 2026 and will be ONLINE.